We’re here to serve you .
From farmers to fry cooks, servers to sommeliers, Southern Smoke takes care of our own by putting dollars directly into the pockets of food and beverage workers when it’s needed most.
Whether there are mental health needs or unforeseen hardships, our funds and resources help those who put food on the table. No ask is too big or too small.
Emergency Relief Fund
Over the years, our nonprofit funds have been used to pay for essentials like groceries, clothing, and medications, and have covered the cost of rent, natural disaster damages, lost wages, and more. There’s no deadline for requests and no cap on the amount given.
Grants are awarded based on unforeseen financial crises, and applications must be submitted through our website to be considered.
To qualify for emergency relief funding, you must be currently employed in food and beverage and working a minimum of 30+ hours per week for a minimum of six months. Every applicant must provide copies of paystubs to verify employment. Each applicant can be granted once every 12 months.
Mental Health Resources
For many, fire and sharp objects aren’t just hazards; they’re tools of the trade. Loud, stressful situations are a given. Double-shifts are standard. By day’s end, it can feel exhausting to do one more thing, even if that one thing is asking for help. So instead, we’re offering. We provide mental health funding and resources for F&B workers and their families nationwide.
Since 2015, we’ve raised more than $927,000 through our festival for fellow F+B workers—and we’re not done yet. Join us from Friday, October 21 to Sunday, October 23 as some of the industry’s most celebrated chefs and personalities—including Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons, Aaron Franklin, and Cheetie Kumar—bring their bold flavors to Houston. We’ll be pairing bites with local libations, live music, event merch, and meat-n-greets for a full weekend worth savoring. We’ll see you there.